Each member of the class must take on a role, hopefully one well-suited for them, in getting our CD to the consumer (members of the Parkland community). Read the following job descriptions and think about which one(s) fit you best. We will be holding "interviews" in class to match students to jobs. Your teacher is the Executive Producer, and therefore has the final word on all decisions. Yet he firmly believes that the project will be better if students have a real stake in the process and outcome.
During the project, you will record each "business-related" task in a project log (click here). Your goal is to contribute 17 hours of activity that can help market, promote, sell, etc. the CD.
PRODUCER (leadership, organizer with artistic vision): Meet with team briefly first thing most class periods to coordinate efforts. Create a rough TIMELINE (see below) and transfer to class wall calendar. Check in with individuals to see if they’re on schedule with tasks. Facilitate their efforts if needed. Lend your “vision” to the entire CD: do you see collaborations that might work within the class?, Is there a song or type of music that should be included on the CD which we’ve overlooked?, Talk to other “artists” about becoming involved (Mr. Anonia/Chorale may be able to help with identifying singers, Mr. Lerew and Mrs. Creeden instrumentalists), Is there enough music to fill out the project? Could we incorporate “celebrity” narrators (principals, popular teachers, etc.) to increase sale appeal?
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER(S): Help with all of the above, but especially caring for the track list. The CD should be representative of the talents in our class and the school. It should include a variety of styles and moods to give interest to the diverse listeners in our school community. Work with the Producer and class members to attain an ideal track list. Please help the Producer create a large TIMELINE to post in the lab during the duration of the project. Also, work with the Design/Layout person to be sure they have the "copy" ready for Mr. Barrett's computer graphics class. Since you are the custodian of the TRACK LIST, you can give this electronically (as an MS Word doc) to the DESIGN/GRAPHICS person. Here's an example of the copy they must turn over to the art class (P: AS4G 2008): Inside Pg 2 (track info), Inside Pg 3 (Note and Staff), Back Cover (Track List, Charity Info).
PERMISSIONS: Check Public Domain websites to confirm fair use for most tunes that will be on the CD. Clear any copyright and permissions issues for the few protected pieces we decide to use. CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT COPYRIGHT CONCERNS.
ARTIST DEVELOPMENT: Investigate, flush out, and develop talent, and keep a list of who in the building could contribute their talents.
MARKETING (strong business sense): We need someone with an affinity for marketing to develop a marketing plan. Ideas for marketing the CD include (but don't necessarily need to include): contact school store, set up sales each morning in A120 Lab and marketing classroom, etc. Coordinate sales effort at district Winter Concert programs in other buildings AND develop an order form for staff at other buildings to receive via email (SAMPLE ORDER FORM doc and SAMPLE ORDER FORM pdf). Flyers, posters, email, outside of school, etc. Locate area businesses that might cooperate as sales points? Mrs. Nicole McGalla, Public & Community Relations Director for PSD, will come and spend a period with the class outlining many ideas for marketing based on her role in the district and her prior work with Polygram Records. Here is a LIST OF MARKETING IDEAS that may be useful, from the 2008 class. Here's a countertop sign that we used to sell the CD at a locally-owned drug store (they allowed us to keep 100% profit!): CD Sale Sign.doc
DESIGN/GRAPHICS (eye for layout): Mr. Barrett’s Computer Design class will generate our cover/cover art. Then we will ship this off to a production house in New Jersey (AMP Recording). This person will need to deliver the "copy" to the chosen artist and help him/her include it into the design. You will need to use a program like MS Word to prepare copy for the liner pages and back cover of the CD, and get this to the student in Mr. Barrett's class whose been selected to design the CD art. Here is a sample of what the end product will look like (P: AS4G 2008): Inside Pg 2 (track info), Inside Pg 3 (Note and Staff), Back Cover (Track List, Charity Info).
PR (articulate speech and writing, comfortable speaking to adults): Liaison with PMN, Nicole McGalla (mcgallan@parklandsd.org) for outside press. You should be taking pictures all along the way that can be turned into graphics that may be used in the CD itself and/or for promotion (flyers, press release, website, etc.). Here is a SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE (doc) and SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE (pdf). Once the project gets "up-and-running," this person - or another designated to do so - should post news and updates, as well as other content to promote the CD, on the Parkland: A Season for Giving blog. To become a contributing "author/editor" for this blog, see Dr. Watson.
CHARITY LIAISON: Gather ideas for charity to support and facilitate the team in choosing, then continue to serve as our class's liaison (go between) with the charity. This will mean things like contacting them to see if they cna help us with advertising or selling the CD, inviting a representative to come share with our class about their mission, inviting them to join us for a CD Release Party, etc.
TREASURER (ethical servant with decent math skills): Keep track of expenses, purchase items we may need along the way, and handle prepare deposits to the class “Holiday CD” student account. Once we begins sales, record receipts and process vouchers with office secretary for deposits and reimbursements. Investigate donations (of materials or funds to buy) from area businesses, parents that own businesses, etc. We could offer mention in the CD insert.
ENGINEER(S) (good with multi-track recording gear and applications): Gather tracks onto one Playlist, apply EQ and time between tracks. Assist class members and Producer with technical/recording tasks. If you have your own recording gear you may utilize that as well. Interview artists ahead of time and set up sessions and strategize microphone schemes, what equipment you’ll use. If more than one engineer, one could specialize in multi-track software and system pref settings, the other could specialize in microphones and miking techniques.
Early October: Intro Project; begin search for public domain tune, etc.
Early October: Interview students for jobs/roles in project. Visit Computer Graphics class to explain the project and the CD Art needed.
Early October: Assign jobs/roles; ask for charity ideas (“Be An Angel” campaign). Visit from Mrs. McGalla with PR tips.
Early October: First business meeting; discuss charity.
Mid October: Choose charity. Select CD Art Design from Computer Graphics class finalists.
Mid-Late October: Schedule in-class and after-school recording sessions with live players. The earlier, the better! Get CD "copy" to Computer Graphics student preparing CD Art.
Holiday CD YOUR PART IN THE BUSINESS [Holiday CD HOME]
2015 WORK SPACEEach member of the class must take on a role, hopefully one well-suited for them, in getting our CD to the consumer (members of the Parkland community). Read the following job descriptions and think about which one(s) fit you best. We will be holding "interviews" in class to match students to jobs. Your teacher is the Executive Producer, and therefore has the final word on all decisions. Yet he firmly believes that the project will be better if students have a real stake in the process and outcome.
During the project, you will record each "business-related" task in a project log (click here). Your goal is to contribute 17 hours of activity that can help market, promote, sell, etc. the CD.
PRODUCER (leadership, organizer with artistic vision): Meet with team briefly first thing most class periods to coordinate efforts. Create a rough TIMELINE (see below) and transfer to class wall calendar. Check in with individuals to see if they’re on schedule with tasks. Facilitate their efforts if needed. Lend your “vision” to the entire CD: do you see collaborations that might work within the class?, Is there a song or type of music that should be included on the CD which we’ve overlooked?, Talk to other “artists” about becoming involved (Mr. Anonia/Chorale may be able to help with identifying singers, Mr. Lerew and Mrs. Creeden instrumentalists), Is there enough music to fill out the project? Could we incorporate “celebrity” narrators (principals, popular teachers, etc.) to increase sale appeal?
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER(S): Help with all of the above, but especially caring for the track list. The CD should be representative of the talents in our class and the school. It should include a variety of styles and moods to give interest to the diverse listeners in our school community. Work with the Producer and class members to attain an ideal track list. Please help the Producer create a large TIMELINE to post in the lab during the duration of the project. Also, work with the Design/Layout person to be sure they have the "copy" ready for Mr. Barrett's computer graphics class. Since you are the custodian of the TRACK LIST, you can give this electronically (as an MS Word doc) to the DESIGN/GRAPHICS person. Here's an example of the copy they must turn over to the art class (P: AS4G 2008): Inside Pg 2 (track info), Inside Pg 3 (Note and Staff), Back Cover (Track List, Charity Info).
PERMISSIONS: Check Public Domain websites to confirm fair use for most tunes that will be on the CD. Clear any copyright and permissions issues for the few protected pieces we decide to use. CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT COPYRIGHT CONCERNS.
ARTIST DEVELOPMENT: Investigate, flush out, and develop talent, and keep a list of who in the building could contribute their talents.
MARKETING (strong business sense): We need someone with an affinity for marketing to develop a marketing plan. Ideas for marketing the CD include (but don't necessarily need to include): contact school store, set up sales each morning in A120 Lab and marketing classroom, etc. Coordinate sales effort at district Winter Concert programs in other buildings AND develop an order form for staff at other buildings to receive via email (SAMPLE ORDER FORM doc and SAMPLE ORDER FORM pdf). Flyers, posters, email, outside of school, etc. Locate area businesses that might cooperate as sales points? Mrs. Nicole McGalla, Public & Community Relations Director for PSD, will come and spend a period with the class outlining many ideas for marketing based on her role in the district and her prior work with Polygram Records. Here is a LIST OF MARKETING IDEAS that may be useful, from the 2008 class. Here's a countertop sign that we used to sell the CD at a locally-owned drug store (they allowed us to keep 100% profit!): CD Sale Sign.doc
DESIGN/GRAPHICS (eye for layout): Mr. Barrett’s Computer Design class will generate our cover/cover art. Then we will ship this off to a production house in New Jersey (AMP Recording). This person will need to deliver the "copy" to the chosen artist and help him/her include it into the design. You will need to use a program like MS Word to prepare copy for the liner pages and back cover of the CD, and get this to the student in Mr. Barrett's class whose been selected to design the CD art. Here is a sample of what the end product will look like (P: AS4G 2008): Inside Pg 2 (track info), Inside Pg 3 (Note and Staff), Back Cover (Track List, Charity Info).
PR (articulate speech and writing, comfortable speaking to adults): Liaison with PMN, Nicole McGalla (mcgallan@parklandsd.org) for outside press. You should be taking pictures all along the way that can be turned into graphics that may be used in the CD itself and/or for promotion (flyers, press release, website, etc.). Here is a SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE (doc) and SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE (pdf). Once the project gets "up-and-running," this person - or another designated to do so - should post news and updates, as well as other content to promote the CD, on the Parkland: A Season for Giving blog. To become a contributing "author/editor" for this blog, see Dr. Watson.
CHARITY LIAISON: Gather ideas for charity to support and facilitate the team in choosing, then continue to serve as our class's liaison (go between) with the charity. This will mean things like contacting them to see if they cna help us with advertising or selling the CD, inviting a representative to come share with our class about their mission, inviting them to join us for a CD Release Party, etc.
TREASURER (ethical servant with decent math skills): Keep track of expenses, purchase items we may need along the way, and handle prepare deposits to the class “Holiday CD” student account. Once we begins sales, record receipts and process vouchers with office secretary for deposits and reimbursements. Investigate donations (of materials or funds to buy) from area businesses, parents that own businesses, etc. We could offer mention in the CD insert.
ENGINEER(S) (good with multi-track recording gear and applications): Gather tracks onto one Playlist, apply EQ and time between tracks. Assist class members and Producer with technical/recording tasks. If you have your own recording gear you may utilize that as well. Interview artists ahead of time and set up sessions and strategize microphone schemes, what equipment you’ll use. If more than one engineer, one could specialize in multi-track software and system pref settings, the other could specialize in microphones and miking techniques.
SAMPLE TIMELINE